This was the unexpected Death of the Queen, on the 1st of _February_ 1705, after a few days Illness. This Princess us’d for some time past to go to _Hanover_, to make a Visit to the Electoress her Mother, of whom, as I have already had the Honor to acquaint you, she was extremely fond. The Day that she was to set out for this Journey she found herself indispos’d, but did not discover it, for fear lest the King should not permit her to go. Her Illness continu’d during the whole Journey, and When she came to _Hanover_, what with the fatigue of receiving Visits from the Ladies of the Court, and her dancing at a Ball the same day, she grew much worse. She came from the Ball with a Soreness in her Throat, which prov’d so violent that the Physicians and Surgeons soon despair’d of curing her. The Queen, tho’ in the Flower of her Age, was not at all terrify’d when she saw Death approaching her. She wrote a very tender Letter to the King, in which she thanked him for the Love he had always manifested to her, and recommended her Domestics to him. Her Brother the Duke _Ernest Augustus_ was so deeply concern’d to see her in such a condition, that she did what she could to comfort him: _There is nothing so natural_, said she to him, _as Death; ’tis unavoidable, and tho’ I am young enough to hope to live a few Years longer, yet I am not loth to die_. M. _de la Bergerie_ the Minister of the _French_ Church, who assisted her in her last Moments, was so surpriz’d at her courage and calmness, that he was more attentive to hear her than to exhort her. _I have_, said she, _for twenty Years seriously study’d my Religion, and have read the Books that treat of it with too much application to be in any doubt as to my Principles. You cannot mention any thing to me but what I have read, and what you can say to me will certainly add nothing to my Opinion._ Then turning towards my Cousin, who was on the other side of her Bed, _Alas!_ said she, _what a deal of needless Ceremony is now going to be us’d about this Body of mine_! At the same time almost, she stretch’d out her Hand to Duke _Ernest_ her Brother, and said to him, _Dear Brother, I am choak’d_; and that Moment she expir’d. A Courier was immediately dispatch’d to the Prince Royal, who was at the _Hague_, and M. _de Bulau_ the Steward of the Queen’s Houshold carried the News to the King, who was so surpriz’d at it, that he fainted away several times. When he came to himself he shew’d marks of the sincerest Affliction, and seem’d fully sensible what a loss he had sustain’d. Indeed this Princess truly deserv’d his Lamentation, as well as the Sorrow of the whole State; and I for my part with my whole Family lost a solid and sincere Protectress.